Summary: JOURNALOF THE KENTUCKYACADEMYOF SCIENCE
lssN1098-7096
Continuationof
Transactionsof the KentuckyAcademyof Science
Volume64 SPning2OO3 Numben1
J.Ky.Acad.Sci.&1(1):1-5.2003
The House Centipe de (Scutigera coleoptrata; Chilopoda): Controversy
and Contradiction
Charles A. Acosta
Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Kentucky University, Highland Heights, Kenhrcky 41099
I objurgatethe centiPede,
A bug we do not reallYneed.
At sleepY-timehe beatsa Path
Straightto the bedroomor the bath'
YoualwayswalloPwherehe'snot,
Or if he is he makesa sPot.
-Ogden Nash]
ABSTRACT
The common house centipecle, Scntigera coleoptrata, has a long and storied history in the annals of
zoology. The specieshas been through five scientiffc name changes since it was first described by Linnaeus